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A 13-year-old boy on an outing with a Silver Spring camping group drowned this afternoon in the lake at Oregon Ridge.

Baltimore County Fire personnel were called to the county-owned and operated Oregon Ridge beach at 12:26 p.m. for a possible drowning. Witnesses said they saw the boy in distress and watched him go under the water in a roped area where swimming is permitted. Swimmers must pass a swim test in order to recreate in this deeper section of the lake. The victim, as well as the rest of the swimmers in the group from the Silver Spring-based Camp Sonshine, had passed the test.

Several Oregon Ridge lifeguards were in the water searching for the boy when BCoFD rescue crews arrived. Three lifeguards had been stationed in their lifeguard chairs when the boy went under water and almost immediately were joined by other lifeguards working at the park. They were not able to find the victim, and BCoFD water rescue experts took over the search.

The boy was recovered at 3:08 p.m. in about 45 feet of water.

Members of Camp Sonshine told responders that today was the boy's 13th birthday. Police have not yet released his identity.

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz visited the park after the incident to speak with the victim's parents and the Oregon Park staff. "This is a terrible tragedy, and on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore County I offer deepest sympathy to the victim's family and friends."

Responding units included tactical rescuers from Texas Station #17, Kingsville VFC's water rescue unit, the Middle River Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Co.'s Dive Unit, Carroll County's Dive Unit and other local companies. Baltimore City responded with its sonar unit, but the victim was recovered before the sonar unit arrived.

Oregon Ridge Beach Closed

Immediately after the drowning, county officials announced that the Oregon Ridge beach and the pavilion on the beach will be closed until further notice. People who have rented pavilions on the beach will be notified individually.

At 10:47 a.m. this morning, Baltimore County Police and Fire personnel responded to the Prettyboy reservoir for a report of a body floating in the water. At 12:03 p.m., the body of an adult male was recovered from the water.

The male has been identified as 30-year-old Patrick McTague. His body has been taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

Original release (July 27):

Baltimore County Police have identified the man who disappeared Friday evening at the Prettyboy Dam. He is Patrick McTague, 30, of the 1100-block of North Pitt Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.

The investigation remains in a recovery phase. Police are monitoring the waters around the dam for when the body of Mr. McTague resurfaces. The conditions around the dam have been too dangerous to send divers into the water.

On July 25, at 6:49 p.m., police and fire personnel were dispatched to the Pretty Boy Dam located at 18100 Pretty Boy Dam Road, 21102. Witnesses told police that they observed a male subject hanging over the dam and that he was last seen falling into the waters below him. The Baltimore County Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team along with Watershed Police responded and conducted a search until it was dark. They were unable to locate the body of the male subject; however, rescuers did find a hat and a tennis shoe at the scene. Police investigators also found a vehicle with Virginia tags parked abandoned near the area.

The Baltimore County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in developing information on a 2005 homicide case that has gone cold.

Tiona Smith was described by friends and family as an easy going, friendly person. She was pleasant to speak with. Family and friends do not know of anyone that would have wanted to harm Tiona.

Tiona worked at the McDonalds on Cranbrook Road 21030. On November 5, 2005, Tiona got off of work at 10:45 p.m. She rode an MTA bus to a stop at Eutaw Street and Fayette Street in Baltimore City. She was seen at that intersection getting into a small four door car. That was the last time that she was seen alive.

At 11 a.m. the next morning, Tiona Smith was found deceased to the rear of a location in the 6800 block of Fox Meadow Road 21207.

Baltimore County Police Homicide Detectives conducted a thorough investigation into this incident. Unfortunately, they were not able to develop any information that might lead to the positive identification of any suspects.

Detectives are asking anyone that has information on this case to contact police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Any information that can be provided on this case is important. Even if a person thinks the information will not mean anything or is not enough to help, it could be that little bit of information that helps police clear this case.